The Operations Section is ADEM’s disaster mitigation and emergency response arm.  Its three work groups are:  1) the Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) & Public/Private Partnership Group; 2) the Emergency Response Group and 3) the Mitigation Group.

Special programs group
The Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) Unit leads a multi-agency task force to protect 130 state entities’ critical business functions while the Public/Private Partnership Unit strengthens the state’s emergency response capacity through cooperative training, exercises, and resource sharing with private sector entities.

THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GROUP
Conducts all-hazards analysis and intelligence sharing to identify threats and consequences at the earliest possible opportunity.  In large-scale emergencies, multi-agency coordination (MAC) functions are conducted in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).  The Search & Rescue (SAR) Unit supports Arizona’s fifteen county sheriffs and coordinates SAR missions with federal entities such as the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, military rescue units, and the United States National Park Service.   In a cooperative effort with the Arizona State Forestry Division, an all-hazard Incident Management Team responds to manage on-scene incidents that exceed a local jurisdiction’s capacity.  

THE MITIGATION GROUP
Reduces and/or eliminates the impact of future disasters by administering five pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs which provide funding for projects with a good benefit-cost ratio. The Mitigation Group coordinates and assists state, local, and tribal governments, along with communities across the border (with hazards which affect Arizona), in developing multi-hazard mitigation plans. These plans identify the hazards, vulnerabilities and risks in a community and assist in developing strategies to mitigate those risks. The plans are a requirement in order to remain eligible to receive specific disaster assistance under the Stafford Act. The Mitigation Group also provides education and outreach to local officials, emergency managers, and others.

CONTACT
For additional information regarding Operations Section, please contact us for your area of interest.